Sky Story Creative was engaged by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to develop an Indigenous design strategy for the Place du Portage Innovation Lab in Gatineau, Quebec.

Rather than approaching Indigenous representation as a collection of individual artworks or environmental graphics, we developed a cohesive design system that embedded Indigenous perspectives into the everyday workplace experience. Language, storytelling, public art, environmental design and cultural knowledge were considered together as interconnected parts of the space.

Our role was not to interpret Indigenous culture on behalf of the community, but to create a process where Indigenous voices could guide the outcome. Working alongside PSPC, BGIS and members of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, Sky Story coordinated Indigenous artists, Knowledge Keepers, writers, translators, designers and government stakeholders throughout the project.

One of the most significant outcomes emerged through that collaborative process. Early concepts included a traditional Land Acknowledgement, but conversations with the project team identified an opportunity to go further. Together, we developed “Our Promise,” a forward-looking commitment centred on shared responsibility to honour Indigenous knowledge, protect land and water, and continue building respectful relationships.

The resulting environment integrates Indigenous languages, cultural storytelling, public art and environmental graphics throughout the workplace. Content was developed across English, French, Anishinaabemowin, Algonquin, Michif and Inuktitut, creating greater visibility for Indigenous languages within a contemporary federal setting.

The project demonstrates how reconciliation can move beyond symbolic representation and become part of an everyday experience, expressed through relationships, collaboration, design and an ongoing commitment to action.

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